Share Your Questions and Comments on the Draft UN Declaration Action Plan

Action Plan Committee

With the passing of the UN Declaration Act, the NWTCOL working group transitioned to become the Action Plan Committee (APC), which was established by the legislation. The UN Declaration Act gives the APC various responsibilities in relation to the implementation of the UN Declaration in the NWT, but its primary role is the development and monitoring of the action plan. Indigenous Government and Organizations’ participation in the APC is vital in supporting the implementation of the action plan by GNWT.

Any interested Indigenous Government or Organization  can become a member of the APC. Indigenous Governments and Organizations that did not participate in developing the action plan can join the APC anytime, and active APC members can decide to be less active at their discretion. 

Developing the Action Plan

The APC and the GNWT co-developed this action plan between the fall of 2023, after the UN Declaration Act received assent, and winter 2026. As with the UN Declaration Act, the action plan is unique in Canada as it was entirely co-developed with Indigenous Governments and Organizations of the NWT participating on the APC.

The UN Declaration Act required the action plan to be completed within two years of the legislation coming into force. While this timeline has not been met, in accordance with the UN Declaration Act, the action plan was co-developed in collaboration and cooperation with the APC. The co-development process takes time, and each action item was thoughtfully considered and drafted to ensure they meet the interests of the GNWT and Indigenous Governments and Organizations.

Indigenous Governments and Organizations of the NWT were invited to participate in developing the action plan. Those not currently participating on the APC are regularly informed directly and through the NWTCOL on the progress of the action plan development and invited to join the APC. It is recognized that capacity limitations and competing interests may impact Indigenous Governments and Organizations’ ability to fully and consistently participate on the APC. To ensure Indigenous Governments and Organizations had the opportunity to provide input and raise concerns, all eligible Indigenous Governments and Organizations remained on the email distribution list as the action plan and action items were developed.
In the spring of 2026, the GNWT conducted engagement with the public on the draft action plan, following its public engagement policy. Concurrently, APC members conducted internal engagement with their membership and communities. The APC and the GNWT carefully reviewed and considered the feedback received during the engagement and incorporated it into the action plan, where relevant. The action plan was approved by the leadership of APC member governments and the GNWT’s Executive Council. 

While the action plan has been formalized into a single document, it is understood and agreed to by the APC that the intention is for the action plan is to be a living document that can be reviewed and amended as circumstances and interests evolve and as implementation of the UN Declaration advances.